The 25-year-old Calabrian man who was on board the KLM flight that also included a South African woman who later died from the virus appears to have exhibited symptoms consistent with hantavirus .
According to reports, some biological samples from the young man—who is already in quarantine—will be transferred to the Spallanzani Hospital in Rome for testing.
Today, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom updated the situation, following the evacuation of approximately 120 passengers from the Hondius ship affected by the disease outbreak. "There are currently 11 active cases, 9 of which are positive for hantavirus ," Tedros said, adding that "these numbers have not changed much in recent weeks thanks to the efforts of many governments, and there have been no deaths since May 2." The WHO director also confirmed that at present "the risk to global health is low."
"All suspected and confirmed cases have been isolated and are being managed under the strictest medical supervision, thus minimizing the risk of any further transmission," the WHO Director-General assured. "At this time, there is nothing to suggest there will be a major outbreak," Tedros Adhanom added, without however ruling out the possibility that "more cases may be detected in the coming weeks."
(Unioneonline)